Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator

I have been using the Estée Lauder Idealist Even Skin Illuminator since the beginning of July and paying almost £50 for this skincare, to say the least I was expecting some sort of miracle. But I don't feel that it has delivered *sad face* I was fortunate to buy the product in the Debenhams duty free sale.

So why did I even choose to buy the product? (Well the sales representative was pretty convincing after gave her the Spanish Inquisition on the product). Estée Lauder say that the serum is 'the first fast-acting Serum to significantly reduce the look of uneven skintone' including blotchiness, blemish marks, dark spots and discolourations. I tick all of these boxes so I was expected that there would be a difference in my skin tone.

How does it work? The serum is oil free and has two types of technology that target key elements of uneven skintone. Firstly, the Triple-Optic Technology will assist with making the skin more luminous and brighter. Additionally, the CorrectTone Technology assists to reduce the appearance of uneven skintone.

The Sales Representative was adament that my skin would instantly look fresh and radiant and the dark spots would appear to be reduced within two weeks. It is recommended that you use the serum after you tone and before you moisturise, and this is to be done both in the morning and night.

Reading other reviews there has been a 75:25 ratio on whether it has worked for people. Now for me, I feel it has not reduced my scarring or dark spots and I do not see the instant radiance. I have also noticed that I have an increased amount of break outs. So I have decided to give it a month's break and see if there is another factor affecting my skin.

The illuminator serum has worked for most and I wish that Estée Lauder would allow you to buy a smaller version so that you could test it before you commit to paying a hefty sum. I am still willing to give the serum the benefit of the doubt, so I report back once I have had a break from the serum.

Price: £46 for a 30ml bottle and £62 for the 50ml bottle.

Source for photo: http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/templates/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT21206&PRODUCT_ID=PROD100138

It's Arrived - The Long Awaited Boudoir Prive Box!

I wake up to find that my Boudoir Prive box has arrived today! Yay for meee!

I havent had a chance to play around with all these goodies because I have a super busy day ahead but I wanted to give you a quick snap shot of what had arrived :)

A bit disappointed that there are no make-up products but I will give a full review later today or tomorrow (depending when I get home!) 

Have a Happy Saturday all and Happy Rakhi to any of you celebrating it :)

Amrit

XO

Allure: Superdrug Haulage

I had anxiously been waiting to get hold of the new Pout Paints from Sleek and obviously stumbled across a few other things when I stopped off to Superdrug.

First off, I browsed the Me Me Me counter and was itching for a new blusher but instead I picked up the Me Me Me Shimmer Stack. There are three stacks to choose from; the Gold Stack, Bronze Stack or Pink Stack. Admittedly, I did want bag all three of them, which led to my executive decision of choosing the Gold Stack. Seeing as we are in the Summer months, I did want to have a quick go-to bronzer that will give a sun-kissed look. Using this, it did just that - result!! The stack has five shades which can double up as eye shadow. I have so far only doubled the white shade as a brow highlighter and it works a treat. The stack will set you back approximately £8.99 which I think it is worth it as I didn't have to top up once through the day!


Moving onto the Pout Paints... I am very impressed to Sleek's answer to OCC's Lip Tar. The Pout Paints are priced at £4.99 and are currently 3 for 2 at Superdrug. I was a hard choice to choose which three I wanted to go home with. The first choice was going to be a natural/Coral shade so I picked up 'Milkshake' then I decided I wanted a raspberry/red shade and chose 'Port' and the last shade is a middle of the road pink 'Rosette.' You literally only need to use a dab (not a pea size amount - the smallest amount going). There has been speculation on whether to use a lip brush or finger to apply this. So what I did was used a neutral lip liner and dabbed my lip liner brush into the paint and used this small smidgen on both top and bottom lips. This was enough to last from 9am to noon! Impressive! I did use my finger to blend in but I kind of regretted it because I had a pink stain on my finger all day.
Still I love the consistency of the Pout Paints and it is definitely value for money. Mixing the different shades are a great addition to my make-up condition.


I then picked up an Andrea Fulerton nail pen. It has both a pen and also a thin brush. Pretty self explanatory... I haven't had a chance to test this out yet but I am sure it will not fail me.


The last item I chose was Biore Pore Unclogging scrub - it was half price and I had wanted to try it a few weeks ago but wasn't sold on buying it for £5. It was £2.03 and I am so glad I did pick it up. It is a refreshing scrub and it does minimise pores. Usually I am sceptical about products being pore minimising, but this does work. It is a refreshing scrub that left my skin looking radiant and healthy. With a mix of a Wild Tumeric scrub, my skin has been phenomenal this week!


So to sum up this was my quick Superdrug haul and boy was that a good £25 well spent!


XO

Guess Who's Back!

I've been MIA for quite a while now so I will give a quick lowdown of what's been going on in my world.


So first off, I was studying for my exams until the first week of June. It all seems like forever-ago, so whilst working I had to study for my third year exams, and lo and behold I passed!! Woop woop, go me! Then two days later started the week of my sister's long awaited wedding.


Her wedding was the first in our household and who knew that there are so many ceremonies that take place before the big day. So to say the least my mum and I were a bit clueless with what to do, so we just smiled for the gazillion photos and went with the flow. I'd spent a few weeks trying to work out how I would do my hair and make up but with all the trips to the tailor and food shopping, I didn't have a chance to have a test run on any of it. I had to kind of play it by ear and use what I could to make it happen, but I do have to say I did a pretty good job! I did such a good job, I had to do six of my mum's friend's make up and hair on the night of the ladies night. Let's just say I was fashionably an hour late to the ladies night (which was at my own house!)


With a day break, we had the big day on the Sunday! With 4 hours sleep, we had the wedding ceremony in the morning which HAD to take place before noon! So I had forgotten to have my henna done and I think history took place because my sister (yes the bride) had to do my henna half an hour before we left. The timing was going great, and we were just about to leave until the photographer and video guy decided to take pictures and capture literally every moment. I think there were approx 20 pictures just for her foot leaving the front door. You can see where I am going with this... anyway we finally were en route to the wedding and had to wait in the Bentley (yes Bentley) until the groom's family went into the temple. So the clock struck noon and the happy couple were officially married!


We made it home and had a few antics with the groom's side getting into the house and paying with fake money (I was less than impressed) and then she was finally sent on her way to her new family.


Then came the reception in the evening, and I was wearing a ball gown which was a lovely burnt orange that went into a fuchsia. The gown was very 20's and I left like it should have been featured in Broadwalk empire. I matched my hair with a vintage look and tried out some vintage curls. I admit I should have hair sprayed a bit more but the curls did last the excessive dancing!


So wedding over, I kind of felt like I didn't have a purpose anymore until my social life sprung back up. We had Harry Potter week, where we had watched every Harry Potter in the cinema until the final part. *sobs a little at the thought that HP is over* 


I began to job hunt and have been offered a new job and will be leaving in two weeks! Eek! This will be my second job but I'm semi-excited and scared. Excited for the prospect of a new job but scared because of the comfort zone I have at my current job. Ho hum, it's all part of growing up and I am proud of myself! *Gold star for me*


So this is my semi lo down of the past two months, hopefully I will be posting a lot more because I have a list of things I would like to share!


XO

Allure: InStyle (June Edition) Nails Inc Grab

InStyle mag have partnered with Nails Inc once again to bring to us three gorgeous Summer shades. Nails Inc have teamed up with InStyle mag to give their readers a freenail varnish.

You will get a choice of three full sized varnishes which are usually priced at £10.50.

The colours include:

• Candy Orange (My favourite one)
• Electric Tea                                       
• Fashion Fawn                                    

The InStyle May Edition with Thandie Newton on the front is the one you are looking out for (June Edition). Grab them while you can! I have tried all three colours and they are certainly fitting for some Summer fun nails!

Let me know if any of you picked up the magazine to treat you to some cheap and cheerful pampering!

Enjoy!

XO

Allure: Prettyful

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."

- Confucius

That much is true, everything does have beauty whether it is hidden or it is explicitly infront of us; we just need to open our eyes to see it.

 In the Allure posts, I will be giving you an inside scoop to all we need to know of the beauty world. Everthing from the latest nail trends, those hidden beauty tricks, my personal recommendations along with some how-to posts.

I will also update the Allure page with my monthly favourites!

Enjoy XO

Vogue: Passion for Fashion

'Fashion is made to become unfashionable.'

 - Coco Chanel

Anna Wintour famously said, "You either know fashion or you don't." I couldn't agree more. However, I strongly believe with the right guidance we can all develop an 'eye' for fashion. We use fashion as a way to express our personalities in our unique styles.

Think of my Vogue posts, (similiar to the magazine), as your fashion guide on current trends, a look into my style and a place to share tips and tricks to develop your own personal chic.

Keep an eye out in the Vogue page as I will be updating it with my monthly fashion favourites!

Enjoy XO